UPDATE: A Microsoft spokesperson has given Insider Gaming the following statement regarding DLC discounts for Xbox Game Pass Members:
“This is not specific to any one game and reflects all games and DLC purchases. Instead of a discount on the purchases, Ultimate and Premium subscribers will earn 10% and 5% – respectively – in points when purchasing select games and add-ons from the Game Pass library.
Ultimate members continue to have 20% discount on select games from the Game Pass library. On top of that, all Rewards members will earn points when shopping games and add-ons on the Store, while Premium and Ultimate subscribers will earn even more, 2x and 4x respectively. See more detail on the Game Pass Rewards program here.“
ORIGINAL: Microsoft has removed DLC discounts from Xbox Game Pass, scaling back one of the service’s longtime member perks. The change comes with no announcement from Microsoft.
Historically, Xbox Game Pass subscribers would be eligible for 10% off DLC and other add-ons for games. It was first seen to be for Call of Duty Points, but then was found that games with previous discounts such as Starfield, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Forza Horizon 5 no longer have the discount.
When Microsoft first announced the changes, it included a change to its Rewards program. No longer will users be able to use points to purchase any sort of extension of their service directly. In addition, they’ve changed how players earn Rewards, saying that “Ultimate subscribers can now earn up to $100 per year in the store just by playing games”.
“With our upgraded Rewards program, players can get up to 30% value on select Game Pass games, with 4x points on purchases of games and add-ons, 10% back in points on select Game Pass library titles and add-ons, and up to 20% off select Game Pass games,” Microsoft said.
So, instead of the discount on add-ons, you now get more points to then turn around and use back in the Microsoft Store. Based on that concept, it stops the company from potentially losing any money on one-time purchases, and keeps players in an ecosystem cycle.
Again, none of that was mentioned in the lengthy post put out by Xbox.
Insider Gaming has reached out to Microsoft for an official reasoning as to why the DLC benefit was removed. Should a response be received, it will be added to this story.
What do you think about no longer having the 10% discount on DLC for Xbox Game Pass subscribers? Let us know down in the comments, and join the newly relaunched Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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Even more reason to cancel. Microsoft needs to buy Take Two more than ever
So there you have it. Now that they’re not trying to get any loyalty anymore, they say they can just do whatever they want and say whatever they want and treat people badly, because since their market base expanded, people will take it or they won’t. Now that they own Activision, nobody is a threat to any more so it gives them license to step on whoever’s nuts they want.
This is why Xbox hasn’t ever belonged in the gaming industry.
“But with Xbox gone, PlayStation doesn’t have any competition so they’ll treat is however they want.” Wrong. What is Nintendo? What is Valve (Steam)? Steam is PC, that’s a platform. What was Nintendo? A company living in the shade you’d use as a argument when your console of choice flatlined? Nintendo outsold the Xbox and PlayStation 5 combined it sounds like, you’re telling me that isn’t competition?
They’ve cooked themselves. I hope they fuckin tank. Switching over to PlayStation now, Greedy swine.
Omg… this is really my last generation with M$. I really can’t abide this level of stupidity.
Lets desperate ploy, knowing Pc won the war.
Will not be renewing at the end of November when my ultimate ends, I would have spent my points on another 2 years of ultimate had I know redeeming for game pass would be removed. Not worth the price hike as I don’t use most of the perks it has.
I already cancelled. I don’t need even more incentive
I doubled down on my GP. I’ll never switch. Handheld coming soon.
To the guy saying they need to buy take two more than ever no that you will never buy take two because take two will never sell. You can’t just buy a company that isn’t selling majority of their stock. Also Xbox lowered the points you get for doing dailies, weeklies, ect. If my Xbox didn’t have gamepass ultimate till halfway 2/3 of the way next year I’d be selling my Xbox and sticking with my computer and PS5